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Accessibility commission plans disability‑awareness training, library events, podcast episodes and a student film festival
Summary
Commissioners outlined a July online training with the Massachusetts Office on Disability, library accessibility events including a June 26 Perkins visit, ongoing 'Seen and Heard' podcast episodes, and early planning for a student film festival with potential donor support and survey outreach.
At its May 22 meeting the Town of Danvers Accessibility Commission outlined multiple outreach activities: a proposed July online Massachusetts Office on Disability training co‑sponsored with the library, upcoming library programs including a Perkins Talking Book Library visit on June 26, ongoing 'Seen and Heard' podcast episodes, and early planning for a student film festival to run next school year.
A commissioner said she met with library staff to discuss co‑sponsoring a 30–35 minute online training by the Massachusetts Office on Disability titled "Get to Know Your Government" and recommended scheduling it during a lunch‑hour slot in July and recording it for later viewing. The library director also told the commission that the library is hiring ASL/CART services for some events; the Perkins visit on June 26 at 7 p.m. in the Gordon Room will include an ASL interpreter. The commission's media outreach lead reported that a recent "Seen and Heard" podcast episode ran longer than usual and that another guest, a quadriplegic artist from Amesbury, is scheduled for early June.
Commissioners discussed a student film festival to be staged next school year and options for prizes and funding. Because the commission does not have a town account to hold donated funds, members considered working with the school department to hold prizes for the festival or partnering with HRIC as a pass‑through for fundraising. Members suggested seeking local business donors for gift cards or prize baskets and exploring HRIC's proposed grant/scholarship redesign as a funding source. The commission also discussed broadening outreach for a community accessibility survey via social media, QR posters at the library and senior center, newsletters and school communications to gather barriers and needs from residents.
The commission asked staff to produce a QR flyer and mock‑ups for social media and to contact the superintendent and HRIC about potential support channels. The group also agreed to invite DPW and school staff to future meetings to present on specific accessibility projects. The commission adjourned early after the outreach items; a motion to adjourn was moved, seconded and the membership present voted in favor.
